JP3595611B2 - Video provision system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a video providing system.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, there is a facility called a request video system, which is installed in a hotel or the like, for example. An example of this system will be described with reference to FIG. In each room of the hotel, a room terminal 101 is installed, and the room terminal 101 is attached with a monitor TV 102 capable of outputting video and audio and a remote controller 103. Each room terminal 101 is connected to a head amplifier 106 by a coaxial cable 104. A video deck 108 is connected to the head amplifier 106 via a modulator 107, and a center controller 110 is connected via a high-frequency modem 109. An indicator 111 for displaying a request number is connected to the center controller 110.
[0003]
In this system, for example, a hotel guest selects a desired video software by looking at a request list, and inputs a request number of the video software by operating the remote controller 103. Room terminal 101 transmits the request number input from remote control 103 to center controller 110 via coaxial cable 104 via head amplifier 106 and modem 109. The center controller 110 determines the VCR 108 to be used for the current playback from the available VCRs 108, and causes the indicator 111 to display the number of the VCR 108 and the received request number.
[0004]
Then, for example, the operator looks at the display of the indicator 111, inserts the video cassette of the request number displayed there into the video deck 108 of the displayed number, and reproduces it. The reproduced signal is high-frequency modulated by a modulator 107, frequency-multiplexed by a head amplifier 106, and transmitted to the coaxial cable 104. The room terminal 101 receives the transmitted reproduction signal and displays it on the screen of the monitor television 102. This allows the customer to enjoy the desired video software.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in such a conventional request video system, the center controller could not obtain the operation information of each VCR. For example, when the center controller determines the VCR to be used for reproduction, the center controller operates each VCR. Achievements could not be considered. For this reason, there have been various inconveniences, for example, a video deck with a small number is frequently used, and the life of the device is relatively shortened.
[0006]
A system like this example is used not only for providing video images, but also for providing game software, for example.
The above-mentioned problem is common in a system that includes a plurality of video reproducing devices that reproduce video information recorded on a record carrier such as a tape or a disc and outputs a video signal, and that performs a service similar to the request video system described above. Was the problem.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and in a video providing system using a plurality of video playback devices, each video playback device hasTotal usage timeBy getting thisTotal usage timeThe purpose is to prevent various problems that have occurred due to the absence of the server.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image providing system comprising: a plurality of image reproducing apparatuses for reproducing image information recorded on a record carrier and outputting an image signal; Transmitting means for transmitting a video signal output by the device; request inputting means for inputting a video number specifying one of the plurality of types of video information; communication means for center transmitting the video number; A plurality of terminal devices comprising: video information selecting means for selecting one of a plurality of video signals transmitted by the means; video display means for displaying a video based on the selected video signal; A terminal communication means for receiving the video number transmitted from the PC, and a designation number display means for displaying a designation number for designating the video information of the received video number. A video providing system comprising: a video controller; and a video signal providing means for obtaining, to the center controller, a video signal representing that each video reproducing device is reproducing or not reproducing video. And the time information obtained from the timer,Integrated usage time calculation means for calculating integrated usage timeAnd theSelection means for selecting the video playback device based on the calculated integrated use timeAre provided.
[0009]
The video providing system according to claim 2 is the video providing system according to claim 1,Said The selection means preferentially selects the video playback device that has a short cumulative use time.It is characterized by the following.
The video providing system according to claim 3 is the video providing system according to claim 1 or 2,The center controller is selected by the selection means.Device number display that displays the device number of the video playback deviceMeansIt is characterized by having been provided.
[0010]
The video providing system according to claim 4 is the video providing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the center controller includes:For each of the video reproducing devices constructed based on the reproducing signal and time information obtained from a timer.An external system communication unit for transmitting operation information to the outside of the video providing system is provided.
A terminal device according to a fifth aspect is used in the video providing system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects.
A center controller according to a sixth aspect is used in the video providing system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects.
[0011]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
In the video providing system according to claim 1, the plurality of video reproducing devices reproduce video information recorded on a record carrier and output video signals. The transmitting means transmits video signals output from the plurality of video reproducing devices.
[0012]
For example, when a customer inputs a video number specifying one of a plurality of types of video information by a request input unit provided in the terminal device, the communication unit for center transmits this video number. The video information selection means selects one type from a plurality of video signals transmitted by the transmission means, and the video display means displays a video based on the selected video signal.
[0013]
In the center controller, when the terminal communication means receives the video number transmitted from the terminal device, the designated number display means displays the designated number designating the video information of the received video number.
Further, in the center controller, the during-reproduction signal acquiring means acquires a during-reproduction signal indicating that each video reproduction device is reproducing or not reproducing a video.And the integrated use time calculation means,Based on the signal during playback and the time information obtained from the timer,The integrated use time is calculated, and the selection means selects a video playback device based on the calculated integrated use time.
[0014]
The center controller controls each video playback deviceBy calculating the accumulated use time and selecting a video playback device based on the accumulated use time, for example, a video playback device with a small number is frequently used and the device life is relatively shortened.To prevent malfunctionsit can.
[0015]
by the way,A general video deck is not configured to output a signal indicating that it is playing back. In many cases, a blue-back video signal is output even in a standby state. For this reason, simply monitoring the presence or absence of a video signal does not make it possible to determine whether playback is actually in progress or standby. Therefore, in the case of actual reproduction, a configuration may be adopted in which the reproduction signal is output separately from the video signal, but such a configuration complicates the structure of the VCR and increases the manufacturing cost. Could be. Therefore,Detects whether the video playback device is playing or not and outputs a playing signalIf the signal output means during reproduction is externally attached, the structure of the video deck can be prevented from becoming complicated.
[0016]
The playback signal output means includes a video signal detection circuit for detecting the presence or absence of a video signal input from the video playback device, a signal separation circuit for separating a synchronization signal from the video signal, and an interface for the video signal based on the separated synchronization signal. An identification circuit for identifying whether the scan is a race scan or a non-interlace scan, and a signal output circuit for outputting a signal during playback if the video playback device is playing based on the detection result of the video signal detection circuit and the identification result of the identification circuit. An example of the during-reproduction signal output device is shown.
[0017]
For example, in the case of a video deck, (1) an interlaced scan video signal is output as a reproduced video signal, but a non-interlaced scan blue-back signal is output when not being reproduced. In addition, (2) an interlaced scanning video signal is output during reproduction, and a blueback signal of interlaced scanning is output when not reproducing, and (3) a video signal is output when not reproducing. Some formats do not output.
[0018]
In the case of the format (1), the identification circuit can identify that the reproduction is being performed in the case of interlaced scanning and is not being reproduced in the case of non-interlaced scanning. In the case of the format (3), the video signal detection circuit can determine that the video signal is being reproduced when there is a video signal and that the video signal is not being reproduced without the video signal. Therefore, the signal output circuit may be configured to output a signal during reproduction when a video signal is detected by the video signal detection circuit and the identification result of the identification circuit is interlaced scanning. However, in the case of the format (2), it cannot be determined because there is no difference between the interlaced scanning and the non-interlaced scanning between the reproduced video signal and the blue-back signal. It can be said that it can be determined whether or not the deck is being reproduced.
[0019]
In the video providing system according to the second aspect, the selecting means preferentially selects a video reproducing device having a short cumulative use time, so that only a specific video reproducing device is frequently used to shorten the life of the device. Failure can be prevented.
In the video providing system according to claim 3,The device number display means is selected by the selection meansDisplays the device number of the video playback device.
[0020]
By using the video playback device of the device number indicated by the device number display means, it is possible to prevent a problem that only a specific video playback device is frequently used and shortens the life of the device.
In the video providing system according to claim 4,For each video playback device constructed based on the playback signal and the time information obtained from the timerExternal system communication means for transmitting operation information outside the video providing systemFor center controllerSince it is provided, for example, when a hotel manager or a person in charge has an office in a place away from the hotel, the operating information can be obtained without going to the hotel. If the operation information includes, for example, the frequency of use of video software, the popularity of the video software can be known, so purchase additional popular video software or discard unpopular video software and replace it with new video software. Various uses are possible. Further, if the operation information includes a time lag from the reception of the request to the start of the reproduction, it can be a measure of the diligence of the operator.
[0021]
【Concrete example】
Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail according to an example in which the video providing system of the present invention is embodied as a request video system.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the overall configuration of the request video system 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the request video system 10 includes a center controller 20, a plurality of video output units 50, a head amplifier 60 as a sending unit, a plurality of room terminals 70 as a terminal device, and the like.
[0022]
The center controller 20 is a control means.Means for calculating accumulated use time and selecting meansAnd a CPU 21 as a main component. The CPU 21 is connected with a ROM 22 storing an operation program of the CPU 21, a RAM 23 serving as a work area of the CPU 21, and a nonvolatile RAM (NVRAM) 24 as operation information storage means. Writing to and reading from the RAM 23 and the NVRAM 24 can be performed.
[0023]
The CPU 21 is connected to the head amplifier 60 via a communication circuit 25 as terminal communication means. The communication circuit 25 is a modulation / demodulation unit that modulates a digital signal into a high frequency signal of a channel (hereinafter, referred to as a center channel) assigned to the center controller 20 and demodulates the high frequency signal of the center channel into a digital signal. A signal can be transmitted to and received from the head amplifier 60 via the communication circuit 25. The CPU 21 is connected to a telephone modem 26 as external system communication means, and can communicate with an external system 28 via a telephone line 27.
[0024]
A calendar timer 29 as a timer is connected to the CPU 21, and the CPU 21 can read the date and time calculated by the calendar timer 29.
The CPU 21 is connected to an output port 30 and an input port 31 as a signal obtaining means during reproduction. The output port 30 is connected to a designated number display unit having a digital display panel (not shown) and an indicator 32 as a device number display unit. The CPU 21 sends a signal to the indicator 32 to output a desired number and The alphabet can be displayed. A reject switch 33 is connected to the input port 31, and a signal from the reject switch is input to the CPU 21.
[0025]
Further, the input port 31 is also configured to receive a reproducing signal from a reproducing state determining device 51 as a reproducing signal output unit included in the video output unit 50.
The request video system 10 includes a plurality of video output units 50 each including a playback state determination device 51, a video deck (VTR) 52, and a modulator 53. The playback state determination devices 51 of the unit 50 are connected to the input ports 31, respectively, and a playback signal from each playback state determination device 51 is input to the input port 31.
[0026]
As shown in FIG. 2, the playback state determination device 51 includes an input terminal 54 connected to the output side of the video deck 52. The signal from the input terminal 54 is input to a video detection circuit 55 as video signal detection means and a synchronization signal separation circuit 56 as signal separation means. The output of the video detecting circuit 55 is inputted to a discriminating circuit 57 as discriminating signal output means, and the output of the synchronizing signal separating circuit 56 is inputted to a field discriminating circuit 58 as discriminating means. The output of the field identification circuit 58 is also input to the determination circuit 57. The output of the discrimination circuit 57 is the above-mentioned signal during reproduction, and this signal is input to the input port 31 of the center controller 20.
[0027]
The video detection circuit 55 is a circuit that outputs a video detection signal when a video signal is input from the video deck 52 and does not output a video detection signal when there is no video signal. The synchronizing signal separation circuit 56 is a circuit that separates a synchronizing signal from the video signal from the video deck 52 and outputs this to the field identification circuit 58.
[0028]
The field identification circuit 58 is a circuit that inverts the output level between high and low whenever the pattern of the synchronization signal changes.
As is well known, in a scanning method for television video or the like, a scanning line for one frame is divided into, for example, a field composed of odd-numbered scanning lines (odd field) and a field composed of even-numbered scanning lines (even field). There are interlaced scanning in which scanning is performed separately and non-interlaced scanning in which one frame is scanned once.
[0029]
In the interlaced scanning, it is necessary to interrupt the scanning line of the even field between the scanning lines of the odd field, so that the vertical synchronization period is shifted between the synchronization signal of the odd field and the synchronization signal of the even field. That is, in the interlaced scanning, the pattern of the synchronization signal of the odd field is different from that of the synchronization signal of the even field. Normally, 30 frames / second, so in interlaced scanning, it becomes 60 fields / second, and the pattern of the synchronization signal changes at a period of 1/60 second. Therefore, if the output level of the field identification circuit 58 changes at a period of 1/60 second, it can be said that the input video signal is interlaced scanning.
[0030]
On the other hand, in the case of non-interlaced scanning, since the pattern of the synchronization signal does not change for each frame, the output level of the field identification circuit 58 is not inverted between high and low. Therefore, if the output level of the field identification circuit 58 does not change, it can be said that the input video signal is non-interlaced scanning.
[0031]
The discrimination circuit 57 is configured to output a signal during reproduction only when a video detection signal is input from the video detection circuit 55 and the output level of the field identification circuit 58 changes.
Returning to FIG. 1, the modulator 53 is a device for modulating a video signal output from the video deck 52 to a high frequency of a channel assigned to each video deck 52 and transferring it to the head amplifier 60. .
[0032]
The head amplifier 60 frequency-multiplexes the high-frequency signal of the center channel input from the communication circuit 25 of the center controller 20 and the high-frequency signal input from the modulator 53 of each video output unit 50 to provide a coaxial cable 61 as a transmission line. It is possible to transmit the high-frequency signal input from the coaxial cable 61 to the communication circuit 25 through the center channel.
[0033]
The room terminal 70 is installed, for example, one for each room of a hotel. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a monitor TV (monitor TV) 71 having both a function as a video display unit for displaying a video and a function as an audio output unit for outputting a sound is connected to each room terminal 70. And a remote controller 72 as request input means. In FIG. 1, the monitor television 71 and the remote controller 72 are shown only for one room terminal 70, and the illustration for the other room terminals 70 is omitted.
[0034]
As shown in FIG. 3, the room terminal 70 includes a CPU 73 as terminal control means, a ROM 74 storing an operation program of the CPU 73, a RAM 75 as a work area of the CPU 73, a communication circuit 76 as communication means with the center, A tuner 77 and an input interface (input I / F) 78 are provided as information selection means.
[0035]
The communication circuit 76 is connected to the head amplifier 60 (not shown in FIG. 3) via the coaxial cable 61. The communication circuit 76 is a modulating / demodulating means for modulating a digital signal into a high frequency signal of a center channel and demodulating the high frequency signal of the center channel into a digital signal. Communication with the CPU 21 of the center controller 20 is possible through the path from the head amplifier 60 to the communication circuit 25.
[0036]
The tuner 77 is a device for selecting a high-frequency signal of one channel from the frequency multiplexed signal transmitted by the coaxial cable 61 and transmitting it to the monitor television 71, and has a configuration for selecting a channel specified by the CPU 73. is there.
The input interface 78 is a device for receiving various signals such as a request signal input from the remote controller 72 and transferring the signals to the CPU 73. The remote controller 72 includes a numeric keypad, a confirmation key, a cancel key, and the like (all not shown), and the user operates these keys to request a request for providing a desired image, cancel the request signal, or cancel the request signal. Can be transmitted from the input interface 78 to the CPU 73.
[0037]
A video deck that can be accurately determined by the playback state determination device 51 outputs an interlaced scanning video signal as a playback video signal. Otherwise, the video signal is not output.
[0038]
Assuming that such a video deck 52 is incorporated in the request video system 10, the operation of the request video system 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. When the request video system 10 is activated, the power of each video deck 52 is turned on.
[0039]
First, a main routine executed by the CPU 21 of the center controller 20 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the CPU 21 polls any of the room terminals 70 to inquire whether there is a request (S11). If there is a request from the room terminal 70 at the polling destination (S12: YES), the CPU 21 determines whether or not the request is a request to provide video, and if the request is affirmative (S13: YES), the CPU 21 proceeds to the next step. Go to S14.
[0040]
Here, a request operation in the room terminal 70 will be described. The user of the room terminal 70 (for example, a guest of a hotel) selects a video software to watch by referring to a list (not shown) in which the title, summary of contents, request number, etc. of the video software are described. The request number is input using the ten keys on the remote control 72. This input is transmitted to the CPU 73 via the input interface 78 of the room terminal 70. The CPU 73 sends this request number to the center controller 20 in response to the polling from the center controller 20 described above. Upon receiving this request number, the CPU 21 of the center controller 20 performs the processing of S14 shown in FIG.
[0041]
In S14, the CPU 21 reads the time at that time from the calendar timer 29, links the time to the request number, and stores the time in the NVRAM 24.
Next, the CPU 21 selects a video deck 52 for reproducing the video tape of the received request number (S15).
[0042]
This selection is made as follows. First, the CPU 21 reads, from the RAM 23, a playing list in which which VCR 52 is being played is written, and selects a VCR 52 that is not playing. Next, the integrated use time table for each of the video decks 52 written in the NVRAM 24 is read, and the video deck 52 having the shortest integrated use time among the video decks 52 not being reproduced is selected. This video deck 52 is a video deck 52 for reproducing the video tape of the request number accepted this time. As described above, since the VCR 52 having the shortest accumulated use time is selected and used for reproduction, the frequency of use of each VCR 52 can be averaged, and a problem occurs that only a specific VCR 52 is frequently used. Can be prevented. Note that acquisition of information as to whether or not the video deck 52 is being reproduced, calculation of the accumulated use time, and the like will be described later.
[0043]
Returning to the description of FIG. 5, after selecting the video deck 52, the CPU 21 transmits the request number stored in S14 and the number (deck number) of the video deck 52 selected in S15 to the indicator 32 for display. The requesting room terminal 70 is notified of the channel assigned to the selected video deck 52 (S16), and the process proceeds to S17.
[0044]
The CPU 73 of the room terminal 70 instructs the tuner 77 to select the notified channel. Then, when a video signal is transmitted on this channel, a video based on the video signal is displayed on the monitor television 71.
The operator looks at the display of the indicator 32, takes out the video tape of the displayed request number, inserts it into the video deck 52 of the displayed deck number, and starts reproduction.
[0045]
If it is determined in S13 that the request is not a request (S13: NO), the CPU 21 executes a process corresponding to the request (S18), and proceeds to S17. An example of such a request is interruption of video playback. The CPU 21 also proceeds to S17 when there is no request from the room terminal 70 in S12 (S12: NO).
[0046]
In S18, the CPU 21 selects the next room terminal 70. Then, the CPU 21 polls the room terminal 70 (S11), and repeats the above processing.
Next, the processing of the interrupt 1 routine and the interrupt 2 routine executed by the CPU 21 will be described. The interrupt 1 routine and the interrupt 2 routine are periodically and alternately executed by a timer interrupt.
[0047]
As shown in FIG. 6, in the interrupt 1 routine, the CPU 21 first determines whether or not the video deck 52 of the deck number selected in the immediately preceding main routine has started playing (S22). This playback start determination is made based on whether or not a playback-in-progress signal is input from the playback state determination device 51 connected to the video deck 52.
[0048]
The output of the signal during reproduction will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, in the reproduction state determination device 51, the video detection circuit 55 detects a video signal (S51: YES), and the output level of the field identification circuit 58 changes in a 1/60 second cycle (FIG. 4). If S52: YES), the discrimination circuit 57 outputs a signal during reproduction (S53). On the other hand, when the video detection circuit 55 does not detect a video signal (S51: NO), or when the output level of the field identification circuit 58 does not change periodically (S52: NO), the determination circuit 57 does not output a signal during reproduction (S54). .
[0049]
As described above, the video deck 52 incorporated in the request video system 10 outputs an interlaced scanning video signal at the time of reproduction, and outputs a non-interlaced scanning blue-back signal at the time of non-reproduction. Since the system does not output the signal itself, the playback state discriminating device 51 outputs the signal during playback only when the VCR 52 is actually playing the video tape, and outputs the signal in the standby state (non-interlaced as a video signal). When the scanning blue-back signal is being output or when the video signal is not being output), the reproducing signal is not output. Therefore, if a reproducing signal is input from the reproducing state discriminating device 51 from which the reproducing signal has not been output, the video deck 52 has started reproducing.
[0050]
Returning to FIG. 6, as apparent from the description of FIG. 4, the time at which the signal during reproduction is input from the reproduction state determination device 51 can be regarded as the reproduction start time of the video deck 52. Therefore, if an affirmative determination is made in S22, the CPU 21 reads the time at that time from the calendar timer 29, links this time to the request number, stores it in the NVRAM 24, and stores it in link with the deck number (S23).
[0051]
On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in S22, the CPU 21 proceeds to S24 and determines whether the reject switch 33 is turned on. The reject switch 33 is used, for example, when a plurality of video tapes having the same content are prepared and the requests are concentrated and it is not enough, or when the video tape of the request number cannot be reproduced due to breakage of the video tape or the like. Turns on. If the rejection switch 33 is turned on (S24: YES), the CPU 21 notifies the room terminal 70 that has transmitted the request number that the request is not accepted, and instructs the room terminal 70 to output an apology message ( S25).
[0052]
Upon receiving this instruction, the CPU 73 of the room terminal 70 sends the data to the monitor television 71, for example, "Sorry, the request is not accepted because it is crowded now. Please make a request. "
[0053]
The above is the processing of the interrupt 1 routine.
Next, the processing of the interrupt 2 routine will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, when the CPU 21 starts the interrupt 2 routine, the CPU 21 first determines whether or not there is a video deck 52 that has been stopped until a signal during playback from the playback state determination device 51 has reached the interrupt processing immediately before. It is determined (S31). If the determination is affirmative, the CPU 21 reads the time at that time from the calendar timer 29, reads the playback start time of the VCR 52 from the NVRAM 24, and calculates the current playback time of the VCR 52. Further, this playback time is added to the accumulated use time read from the NVRAM 24, and stored in the NVRAM 24 as a new accumulated use time, and the end time is set to the request number of the video tape reproduced by the VCR 52. The link is stored in the NVRAM 24 (S32). After the process of S32, or when there is no video deck 52 whose reproduction has been stopped (S31: NO), the process returns to the main routine.
[0054]
Through a series of processes of the CPU 21, the request number, the request reception time, the deck number of the video deck 52 to which the reproduction is assigned, the reproduction start time, and the reproduction end time are recorded for each request. Note that the reproduction end includes a case where the reproduction is interrupted by a request of the user of the room terminal 70. In addition, an integrated use time is recorded for each video deck 52.
[0055]
Therefore, if the records for each request are totaled, it is possible to know the degree of popularity of the video software based on the number of appearances of the same request number, and the diligence of the operator based on the time lag from the reception of the request to the start of reproduction. Various uses are possible. In addition, the frequency of use of each video deck 52 can be averaged, and problems caused by frequent use of only a specific video deck 52 can be prevented.
[0056]
As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described according to the specific examples. However, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to such specific examples, and can be variously implemented without departing from the gist of the present invention.
For example, in a specific example, the discriminating circuit 57 of the reproducing state discriminating device 51 outputs a signal during reproduction. However, the outputs of the video detecting circuit 55 and the field discriminating circuit 58 are input to the CPU 21 of the center controller 20, and the CPU 21 directly A configuration for determining the playback state of the video deck 52 is also possible. By doing so, the configuration of the playback state determination device can be simplified. In addition, if a video playback device configured to output a signal during playback is used, there is no need to externally attach a playback state determination device as in a specific example.
[0057]
Further, in the specific example, a video deck is employed as a video reproducing apparatus, but the present invention can also be applied to video reproducing apparatuses other than the video deck, for example, a compact disk player, a laser disk player, a video game machine, and the like.
[0058]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the video providing system of the first aspect, the center controller is provided for each video reproducing apparatus.Calculate total usage timeI can do thisOf accumulated usage timeVarious problems that have occurred due to lack of information can be prevented.
If a reproduction state determination device is externally attached as in a specific example in order to know whether or not the video reproduction device is performing reproduction, the structure of the video reproduction device such as a VCR is not complicated.
[0059]
According to the video providing system of claim 2,Since a video playback device with a short integrated usage time is selected with priority, it is possible to prevent a problem that only a specific video playback device is frequently used and shortens the life of the device.
The video providing system according to claim 3.Then, since the device number display means displays the device number of the video playback device selected by the selection means,It is possible to prevent a problem that only a specific video reproducing apparatus is frequently used and shortens the life of the apparatus.
[0060]
According to the video providing system of the fourth aspect, for example, a hotel manager or a responsible person can obtain operation information without going to the hotel. If the operation information includes, for example, the frequency of use of video software, the popularity of the video software can be known, so purchase additional popular video software or discard unpopular video software and replace it with new video software. Various uses are possible. Further, if the operation information includes a time lag from the reception of the request to the start of the reproduction, it can be a measure of the diligence of the operator.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the overall configuration of a request video system of a specific example.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a playback state determination device included in a request video system of a specific example.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a room terminal included in the request video system of the specific example.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an operation of a reproduction state determination device in a request video system of a specific example.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a main routine executed by a CPU of a center controller included in the request video system of the specific example.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an interrupt 1 routine executed by a CPU of a center controller included in the request video system of the specific example.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an interrupt 2 routine executed by the CPU of the center controller included in the request video system of the specific example.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional request video system.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Request video system (video providing system)
20 ... Center controller,
21 ... CPU (Means for calculating total use time, selectionmeans),
22 ... ROM,
23 ... RAM,
24... Nonvolatile RAM (operation information storage means)
25 ... communication circuit (communication means to terminal)
26... Telephone modem (communication means for external system)
27 ... telephone line,
28 ... external system,
29 ・ ・ ・ Calendar timer (timer),
30 output port,
31 ... input port (reproduction signal acquisition means)
32 ... indicator (designated number display means, device number display means),
33 ... rejection switch
50 ... Video output unit,
51 ··· Reproduction state discriminating device (reproduction signal output means)
52 VCR (video playback device)
53 ・ ・ ・ Modulator,
54 ... input terminal,
55 ... video detection circuit,
56 ··· Synchronous signal separation circuit
57 ... discriminating circuit,
58 ... field identification circuit,
60 head amplifier (transmission means),
61 ... coaxial cable,
70 ... room terminal (terminal device),
71 ... monitor television (image display means),
72 remote control (request input means),
76 ··· Communication circuit (to center communication means)
77 ... tuner (video information selection means),
78 ... input interface.

Claims (6)

A plurality of video playback devices that output video signals by reproducing video information recorded on a record carrier,
Sending means for sending video signals output by the plurality of video playback devices;
Request input means for inputting a video number specifying one of the plurality of types of video information; center communication means for transmitting the video number; and one of a plurality of video signals transmitted by the transmission means. A plurality of terminal devices including video information selection means for selecting the type, and video display means for displaying a video based on the selected video signal,
An image comprising a center controller including terminal communication means for receiving the image number transmitted from the terminal device, and designation number display means for displaying a designation number designating the image information of the received image number. In the provision system,
In the center controller,
During playback signal acquisition means for acquiring a playback signal indicating that each video playback device is not playing or not playing a video,
Integrated use time calculation means for calculating an integrated use time for each of the video playback devices based on the reproducing signal and time information obtained from a timer,
Image providing system characterized by comprising a selecting means for selecting the image reproducing device based on the integrated operating time, which is the calculated. The video providing system according to claim 1,
The video providing system , wherein the selection unit preferentially selects the video playback device that has a short cumulative use time . The video providing system according to claim 1 or 2,
A video providing system , wherein the center controller is provided with a device number display unit for displaying a device number of the video playback device selected by the selection unit . The video providing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The center controller is provided with external system communication means for transmitting operation information for each of the video reproducing devices constructed based on the reproducing signal and time information obtained from a timer to outside the video providing system. An image providing system characterized by the following. A terminal device used in the video providing system according to claim 1. A center controller used in the video providing system according to claim 1.

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